Toxicological Findings in Fatal Motor Vehicle Collisions in Ontario,Canada: A One‐Year Study

Drug‐impaired driving is a complex area of forensic toxicology due in part to limited data concerning the type of drugs involved and the concentrations detected. This study analyzed toxicological findings in drivers from fatal motor vehicle collisions (FMVCs) in Ontario, Canada, over a one‐year period using a standardized protocol. Of the 229 cases included in the study, 56% were positive for alcohol and/or drugs. After alcohol, cannabis was the most frequently encountered substance (27%), followed by benzodiazepines (17%) and antidepressants (17%). There were differences in drugs detected by age but no marked difference in drugs detected between single and multiple FMVC's. Not all drugs detected were considered impairing either due to drug type, concentration or case history. The findings indicate the importance of comprehensive drug testing in FMVCs and highlight the need to consider a variety of factors, in addition to drug type and concentration, when assessing the role of drugs in driving impairment.     

Can Genetics Predict Response to Complex Behavioral Interventions? Evidence from a Genetic Analysis of the Fast Track Randomized Control Trial

Early interventions are a preferred method for addressing behavioral problems in high‐risk children, but often have only modest effects. Identifying sources of variation in intervention effects can suggest means to improve efficiency. One potential source of such variation is the genome. We conducted a genetic analysis of the Fast Track randomized control trial, a 10‐year‐long intervention to prevent high‐risk kindergarteners from developing adult externalizing problems including substance abuse and antisocial behavior. We tested whether variants of the glucocorticoid receptor gene NR3C1 were associated with differences in response to the Fast Track intervention. We found that in European‐American children, a variant of NR3C1 identified by the single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs10482672 was associated with increased risk for externalizing psychopathology in control group children and decreased risk for externalizing psychopathology in intervention group children. Variation in NR3C1 measured in this study was not associated with differential intervention response in African‐American children. We discuss implications for efforts to prevent externalizing problems in high‐risk children and for public policy in the genomic era.     

Detection Rates, An International Comparison

Within Europe detection rates vary considerably. The differences are too large to be explained purely by the ability of the police to solve cases. In a study covering nine European countries many other factors (external, organisational and technical factors) influencing the detection rate are identified and the influence is empirically made plausible. Next, a comparison is made between the punishment rate and the detection rate. The fact that punishment rates are more stable is explained by the difference between a crime oriented and an offender oriented approach. Also a link is made with the discretionary powers of the police and prosecution.     

Psychosocial characteristics of batterers: A study of 234 men charged with domestic violence offenses

This paper analyzes the characteristics of 234 women abusers who came in contact with the Marion county prosecutor's office and municipal court in Indianapolis during the period from July 1984 to April 1985. The study examines the relationship between battering and such variables as age, race, alcohol, and/or drug abuse, the assailant's relationship to the battered women, criminal history, and employment status. A profile of the psychosocial characteristics of batterers and the implications for assessment and court-mandated treatment are also presented.     

Co-determination and the market economy

In this article attention is paid to Böhm's ideas on codetermination and on the related subject of public industrial organization. According to Böhm the government has to take care of the institutional framework of the market economy. The coordinating function of prices has to be improved by competition policy and by monetary and financial policy. Public industrial organization and codetermination based on the parity principle are thought by him to be incompatible with the market economy because they frustrate price formation.     

Paradoxes of soviet law

The Soviet Legal System, Vol. 1: Fundamental Principles and Historical Commentary, 3rd edn, edited by J. N. Hazard, P. B. Maggs and W. E. Butler. New York: Oceana Publications Inc., 1977. 608 pp. $17.50. Vol. II: Selected Contemporary Legislation and Documents, edited by W. E. Butler. New York: Oceana Publications Inc., 1978. 733 pp. $40.00.